By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — Joe’s Top Dog has become known for more than Coney Island-style food. It’s become popular for hosting jazz.
Every Friday since March, the restaurant has hosted jazz musicians and singers to perform as part of its Jazz Fridays series.
“It’s been great so far,” Joe’s Top Dog owner Joe Bojovic said. “It’s been working really good and customers are enjoying the music.”
The family owned restaurant and bar at 13342 Michigan Ave. has been open since 1982 and Bojovic wanted to being something unique to the city.
Jazz Fridays began when Bojovic’s good friend, Phil Hespen, brought up the idea earlier this year.
“Phil pitched the idea to me and asked what I thought,” Bojovic said. “I told him I loved it and he got the ball rolling.”
Hespen than contacted his friend Rich Michaels who leads his own band, the Rich Michaels Trio.
“He knows a lot of talented people and musicians,” Bojovic said. “I trusted him when it came to picking artists and musicians to play at the restaurant.”
The trio includes Chuck Shermataro on keyboard, Ray Tini on bass and Michaels on the drums.
Previous special guests who have sat in with the house band have included vocalist Kate Patterson, trumpeter Dave Tatrow and vocalist Harvey Thompson.
“As a business owner seeing the place really busy is great,” Bojovic said. “I also love seeing people enjoy great music from great artists every Friday.”
Bojovic said he plans to keep Jazz Friday’s going as long as musicians and vocalists are willing to perform at the restaurant.
Future special guests include vocalist Tommy Good on Sept. 11, vocalist Ursula Walker and pianist Buddy Budson on Sept. 18 and trumpeter Johnny Trudell on Sept. 25.
The weekly event is free and open to the public. For more information on Jazz Friday’s to go topdogconeyisland.com.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)